Page 22 - Florida Sentinel 3-31-17

Health
Part 2
Vision Problems
Call 911 if you suddenly have blurry vision, dou- ble vision, or loss of vision. That can be a sign of stroke or other serious illness. You also should call 911 if you have trouble seeing and have a bad headache, nausea or vomiting, numbness, weak- ness, dizziness, confusion, or trouble talking. If you have severe pain or irritation in your eyes, get emer-
gency care as soon as possible.
Vomiting
You should go to the emergency room if there’s blood in the vomit or you have other symptoms, like severe headache or abdominal pain, confusion, or fast breathing or heart rate. A child younger than 6 should be seen right away if vomiting lasts more than a few hours or he has any signs of dehydration.
Deep Cuts
If you can see yellow fatty tissue under the first layer of skin, you should get to the emergency room. It will need quick attention if it won’t close or if it’s on your face, neck, genitals, or across a joint. You should also go if you were bitten by a person or animal, cut with a dirty or rusty object, or you’re bleeding badly or have a foreign object stuck in the cut.
Stomach Pain
If it lasts more than 30 minutes -- especially if it’s sudden and intense -- you should seek emergency medical care. Pain that doesn’t get better or happens with vomiting could be some- thing serious like an inflamed appendix, which may need to come out very quickly.
Chest Pain
If you have chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a couple of minutes, or if it comes back, it’s time to call 911.
Confusion or Trouble Speaking
These are two of the most common symptoms of stroke. Don’t take any chances -- call 911 right away. Your treatment and recovery depend a lot on how fast you get medical care. Other stroke symptoms may include sudden problems walking or balancing, intense headache, drooping on one
side of your face, and numbness or weakness on one side of your body.
One Minute You’re Fine ...
When you’re past 50, some ailments can announce them- selves suddenly and painfully. And aches and ouches you might not worry much about when you’re younger could be a sign of bigger problems in middle age.
Acute Pancreatitis
Sometimes, gallstones can set this off. It’s inflammation of the pancreas, which makes enzymes and hormones like insulin that help with diges- tion. It causes severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and a fever, and can be life-threat- ening. Seek medical help im- mediately if you have these symptoms. It also can be caused by heavy drinking, high levels of calcium, or a kind of fat called triglycerides.
Aneurysm
Many of the lifestyle changes you make to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke can make you less likely to have this as well. An aneurysm happens when the wall of an artery gets weak and bulges outward. If that wall gives way, it can lead to serious internal bleeding or a stroke. Symptoms include pain, nausea, dizziness, clammy skin, and a rapid heartbeat.
Stroke
This is when blood does- n’t get to parts of your brain like it should, and those brain cells start to die. Get help right away if you have sudden weakness or numb- ness in your face, arms, or legs, you lose your bearings or get confused, and have trouble speaking. You can lower your odds if you keep your blood pressure in check, eat a low-cholesterol diet, manage your stress, ex- ercise, and quit smoking.
Gallstones
These are hardened chunks of bile, a fluid that helps your body get rid of waste. They get stuck on the way out of your gallbladder, a small organ below your liver. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball and can cause severe pain in your upper belly or behind your belly button. You're more likely to get them if you’re obese, have di- abetes or Crohn’s disease, or don’t exercise.
Heart Attack
This is the big one: 735,000 people have one every year. A 50-year-old man has a 1 in 2 chance of getting heart disease at some point. The most common signs are chest pain, short- ness of breath, and pain in your back, shoulders, or neck. You might also feel sweaty, dizzy, or like you’re going to throw up. Your risk is lower if you’re at a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and get regular exercise.
PAGE 10-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017